Matewan
John Sayles1987-08-28
It takes more than guns to kill a man.
7.3
132 min
Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan, a scab named "Few Clothes" Johnson and a sympathetic mayor and police chief heroically fight the power represented by a coal company and Matewan's vested interests so that justice and workers' rights need not take a back seat to squalid working conditions, exploitation and the bottom line.
Cast
| Name | Character | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Chris Cooper | Joe Kenehan | Hangin with Mr. Cooper |
 |
James Earl Jones | 'Few Clothes' Johnson | Unowned |
 |
Mary McDonnell | Elma Radnor | Unowned |
 |
Will Oldham | Danny Radnor | Unowned |
 |
David Strathairn | Police Chief Sid Hatfield | Zac E. Chan |
 |
Ken Jenkins | Sephus Purcell | Unowned |
 |
Kevin Tighe | Bill Hickey | Unowned |
 |
Gordon Clapp | Tom Griggs | Unowned |
 |
Bob Gunton | C.E. Lively | Unowned |
 |
Jace Alexander | Hilllard Elkins | Unowned |
 |
Joe Grifasi | Fausto | Unowned |
 |
Nancy Mette | Bridey Mae Tolliver | Unowned |
 |
Jo Henderson | Mrs. Elkins | Unowned |
 |
Josh Mostel | Mayor Cabell Testerman | Unowned |
 |
Gary McCleery | Ludie | Unowned |
 |
Maggie Renzi | Rosaria | Unowned |
 |
Tom Wright | Tom | Unowned |
|
Michael B. Preston | Ellix (as Michael Preston) | Unowned |
|
Thomas A. Carlin | Turley | Unowned |
|
Jenni Cline | Luann | Unowned |
 |
Michael Mantell | Doolin | Unowned |
|
J.K. Kent Lilly | Pappy's Voice (voice) | Unowned |
|
Ida Williams | Mrs. Knightes | Unowned |
|
James Kizer | Tolbert | Unowned |
|
Ronnie Stapleton | Stennis | Unowned |
 |
Davide Ferrario | Gianni | Unowned |
|
Frank Payne Jr. | Old Miner | Unowned |
 |
John Sayles | Hardshell Preacher | Unowned |
|
Hazel Dickens | Singer | Unowned |
|
Charles Haywood | Sheb | Unowned |
|
Neale Clark | Isaac | Unowned |
 |
Mitch Scott | Mister | Unowned |
|
Hazel Pearl | Missus | Unowned |
|
Michael Frasher | Lee Felts | Unowned |
 |
Frank Hoyt Taylor | Al Felts | Unowned |
|
Fred Decker | James | Unowned |
|
Bill Morris | Bass | Unowned |
|
Delmas Lawhorn | Conductor | Unowned |
|
William Dean | Broker | Unowned |
|
P. Michael Munsey | Broker | Unowned |
|
Thomas Hal Phillips | Boxcar Guard | Unowned |
|
Stephen C. Hall | Redneck Miner | Unowned |
|
Percy Fruit | Black Miner | Unowned |
|
Thomas Poore | Injured Black Miner | Unowned |
|
Tara Williams | Miner's Wife | Unowned |
|
Gerald Milnes | Fiddler | Unowned |
 |
Mason Daring | Picker | Unowned |
|
Jim Costa | Mandolin Player | Unowned |
|
Phil Wiggins | Harmonica Player | Unowned |